[Coral]

MFG:
Malaika Angelica Friedman – Keys
"Brother Gabe" Johnson (Watkins Glen) – Guitars
Mark Karwan (Quattlebaum, Watkins Glen, Jenner Fox) – Basses
Kyle Pickard (Watkins Glen, TEB) – Drums

Malaika Friedman (nee Maxwell Friedman), is living proof that some musicians are indeed "born with it." At 22 years old, Malaika has already been playing live for 11 years and her ferocious and inspired keyboard playing, tasteful and clever compositions and musical poise and maturity are already becoming truly legendary while their skill, knowledge, taste, phrasing, artistry and professionalism are already on-par with many accomplished players on the national scene who, without hesitation, already call her their peer. One of the youngest players to have ever been endorsed by Hammond Organ, Max has already been invited to share the stage with many musical heavy hitters including Karl Denson, George Porter Jr., Lettuce, The New Mastersounds, Skerik, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Nth Power, Stanton Moore, ALO, TAUK, Leftover Salmon, Jennifer Hartswick Band, and many more. Max has also already been an artist-at-large multiple times at West Coast festivals including the legendary High Sierra Music Festival. This emerging young genius' star continues to rise and perhaps the most impressive work Friedman has done thus far has been with their own band, MFG aka Maxwell Friedman Group. Assembling veteran players, many years their senior, including guitarist "Brother Gabe" Johnson, bassist Mark Karwan, and drummer Kyle Pickard, the band delivers what Malaika likes to call "Inspired Neo-Jazz Funk Soul Fusion". This illustrious young player not only has shown a maturity beyond their years in leading their elder musicians, but also continues to write mature compositions while creating extremely colorful soundscapes that are beyond compare. MFG is set to release a new EP in Spring 2026 featuring Adam Deitch of Lettuce on drums and in Jan 2026 MFG did a NW tour with Karl Denson's Tiny Universe. The band has several previous tours including high profile support dates with The Greyboy Allstars, KDTU and The New Mastersounds.